Mumbai:

Following a defeat in his electoral debut, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s son Amit has said he accepts the mandate. The 32-year-old said he did not contest this election as a “prince”, but as a common activist fighting for Maharashtra and its people.

Amit Thackeray contested the election from Mumbai’s Mahim seat and finished a distant third. His uncle Uddhav Thackeray’s party, Shiv Sena (UBT) won the seat with Mahesh Baliram Sawant clinching a slim victory with a margin of 1,316 votes.

“I humbly and respectfully accept the call given by my people in the assembly elections today. For the past several years, I have seen people struggle for basic needs in this ward. We should write a new chapter for development and change in the ward. With this intention, I entered this election,” Amit Thackeray said in a post in Marathi on X.

The young leader this defeat has taught him that he has to work hard to gain the faith of the people.

“This battle of mine was never to gain political power… Because this battle was not of any prince, it was of an ordinary activist who fights for all, for our people, for our Maharashtra’s bright future. I just wanted to put a smile of satisfaction on your face,” he has said.

Amit Thackeray said this was not the end of his journey but the beginning. “Thanks to all the voters who showed their faith and voted for me. Your faith will not go wasted. I promise – I will always strive to fulfill your dreams, to come true to your beliefs. Because my battle is so long and we will win it together,” he said.

The MNS, once a formidable force in Maharashtra politics, has seen its influence diminish over the past two state polls. After winning 13 seats in the 2009 polls, the party slumped to 1 win in the 2014 and the 2019 elections. This time, it failed to open its account despite contesting 125 seats and cornered just 1.5 per cent voteshare.

Mumbai:

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the BJP still wants to throw its weight behind MNS head Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray in Mahim assembly seat, which the ruling Shiv Sena is also contesting.

Efforts will be made to find a solution to this, Mr Fadnavis told reporters here.

The senior BJP leader also said his party would try to convince most of its rebels to withdraw their nominations, but added that there will be friendly fights in some seats in the November 20 state polls.

The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has fielded sitting MLA Sada Sarvankar from Mahim, while Mahesh Sawant is the candidate of the Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray from the seat in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray is not a part of the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP, but supported the ruling alliance in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year.

Mr Fadnavis said the BJP and Chief Minister Shinde had a consensus on supporting MNS candidate Amit Thackeray, who is making his electoral debut, in the Mahim assembly constituency.

“However, leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena argued that if the party does not contest the election, its dedicated voters would shift to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The BJP was ready to support Amit and is still firm on its stand,” he said.

Asked about the solution to this conundrum, Mr Fadnavis said, “When we (leaders of Mahayuti) meet, we will discuss and try to find a solution.” Mahim has witnessed the birth of the undivided Shiv Sena (1966) and then the MNS, which came into existence in 2006 when Raj Thackeray charted his own independent political course.

Mr Fadnavis also maintained that every major political party in the state has been facing the challenge of rebels in the assembly elections.

The BJP would try to convince most of its rebels to withdraw their nominations, Mr Fadnavis said.

There will be friendly fights in some seats, he added.

Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday alleged he was “backstabbed” by his close colleague and then home minister RR Patil who ordered an open inquiry against him in the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam.

Mr Pawar also claimed a file mentioning Mr Patil’s remarks ordering an inquiry was shown to him by Mr Fadnavis after he became Chief Minister in 2014.

Asked about the NCP leader’s comments, Fadnavis said, “It is true that the investigation against Ajit Pawar commenced when the Congress and (then undivided) Nationalist Congress Party were in power. However, I would not say anything on RR Patil’s decision as he has passed away; it would be inappropriate.” Elections to the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Ahead of the release of Pakistani film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in India, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has issued a stern warning, stating that the film will not be allowed to screen in Maharashtra. Mr Thackeray’s statement comes as the film is set to become the first Pakistani movie in over a decade to release in Indian theatres, with the premiere scheduled for October 2.

Mr Thackeray criticised the release of films featuring Pakistani actors in India, claiming that cultural exchanges with Pakistan should not be tolerated, given the strained relations between the two countries.

“Art does not have national borders, this is all right in other cases, but in the case of Pakistan, this will not work at all. What is the beginning of bringing the country’s actors here to dance and show their films on the single issue of hatred of India? Let alone Maharashtra, the government should not allow this movie to be screened in any state of the country,” he questioned. “Of course, what the rest of the states should do is their question. It is certain that this movie will not be released in Maharashtra.”

फवाद खान नावाच्या पाकिस्तानी अभिनेत्याचा, ‘लिजेंड ऑफ मौला जट’ नावाचा सिनेमा लवकरच भारतात प्रदर्शित होणार आहे. महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना हा सिनेमा कुठल्याही परिस्थितीत महाराष्ट्रात प्रदर्शित होऊ देणार नाही. पाकिस्तानी कलाकारांचे सिनेमे मुळात भारतात प्रदर्शित का होऊ दिले जातात?…

— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) September 22, 2024

He urged theatre owners to avoid screening the movie, recalling previous actions taken by the MNS to block similar releases. “Everyone remembers the actions we took earlier. We do not want any conflict during the Navratri festival when this movie is slated for release, but we will not hesitate if this movie is shown in Maharashtra,” he posted on X. 

While ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ is anticipated to perform well at the box office, given Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s popularity in India from their previous projects, the MNS has reiterated its opposition. Ameya Khopkar, president of the MNS Cinema Wing, echoed Mr Thackeray’s sentiment, urging people across India to protest the film’s release. “This movie will not be released, and we will not allow any Pakistani actors or films in India. If cinemas dare to show the film, they will face consequences,” Ameya Khopkar said, as quoted by news agency ANI. 

The film, directed by Bilal Lashari, is a remake of the 1979 cult classic ‘Maula Jatt’ and has been a major success in Pakistan, earning Rs 400 crore globally. It is being released in India by Zee Studios in collaboration with ‘Zindagi’, which also featured Fawad Khan in its show ‘Barzakh’.

“Navratri festival will start around the time when this movie will be released. I do not want any conflict to happen in Maharashtra. And the same will not be the wish of the Chief Minister of the state, the Home Minister and the Director General of Police of the state. And we don’t want any conflict,” Mr Thackeray said. 

“I wish that there should be no conflict in the state for any Pakistani cinema and I am sure that the government will give due attention to it,” he added. 

‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ would be the first Pakistani movie to release in India since 2011’s ‘Bol‘, starring Humaima Malick and Atif Aslam. Its release was initially planned for December 2022 but faced delays.

The ban on Pakistani artists working in India was implemented after the 2016 Uri terror attack, which led to tensions between the two countries and disrupted cultural exchanges, including Fawad Khan’s flourishing career in Bollywood. Although Fawad and Mahira remain popular in India, the political climate continues to complicate their involvement in Indian cinema.

Mumbai:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an election rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on May 17, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Wednesday.

Mr Bawankule was speaking to reporters after meeting MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has announced his party’s support to BJP-led NDA’s candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

“PM Modi will address a poll rally at Shivaji Park on Friday (May 17). I invited Raj Thackeray for the rally and he has agreed to attend it,” said the BJP leader.

“Thackeray’s support (to NDA candidates) and his appeal to voters will reflect in the (poll) outcome. We have asked Raj to join us for the poll campaign in the next few days,” he said.

On Wednesday, the PM addressed two elections in Maharashtra — in Nashik and Thane districts — in support of NDA nominees and also held a roadshow in Mumbai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pune:

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said that “despite being with” NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar all these years, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar never indulged in caste politics.

Mr Thackeray, whose party is not contesting the Lok Sabha elections but supporting the ruling coalition of the BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, was speaking at a campaign rally here.

“I may have had many differences with Ajit Pawar, but I can say one thing: he never indulged in caste politics. Despite being with Sharad Pawar, I have not seen him indulging in caste politics ever,” said Mr Thackeray, praising Ajit and at the same time taking potshots at Pawar senior.

The “venom” of caste politics started spreading in Maharashtra since 1999, the MNS chief said, in apparent reference to Sharad Pawar forming the Nationalist Congress Party in that year after leaving Congress.

Raj Thackeray had accused the senior Pawar of playing the caste card and dividing society in the past too.

The MNS chief highlighted the issues faced by the cities in terms of basic amenities, and said if there was no proper management, they would collapse.

“In order to divert attention from these issues, some leaders are involving you in caste (politics). I had on numerous occasions urged you to free yourself of caste politics. Think about yourself and your life,” he said to the gathering.

He also claimed that ‘fatwas’ were being issued from mosques to vote for Congress. “Today, I issue a `fatwa’ to vote for the candidates of BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Shiv Sena,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kankavali (Maha):

MNS president Raj Thackeray on Saturday claimed that his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray would not have said anything against the BJP if the saffron party had accepted his demand of Maharashtra chief minister’s post.

Speaking at a campaign rally here for Union minister Narayan Rane, BJP candidate from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency, Raj Thackeray also justified his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the construction of the Ram Temple and abrogation of Article 370 among other reasons.

Notably, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief had supported Modi in 2014, he had launched scathing attack on the prime minister in rally after rally before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“I did not agree with (Modi’s) stand (in 2019). It was not that I wanted something in return (for supporting him again now),” Raj Thackeray said in his first rally in support of the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance in Maharashtra.

“If the BJP had accepted your (Uddhav Thackeray’s) proposal of sharing the chief minister’s post for two-and-half years, would you have said the things you are saying today? You would have kept mum for power,” Raj Thackeray said.

Uddhav Thackeray broke off his party’s decades-long alliance with the BJP after the state polls in 2019 as the saffron party was not ready to share the CM’s post with him.

Raj Thackeray, meanwhile, countered Shiv Sena (UBT)’s charge that investments were being diverted from Maharashtra, asking what Uddhav did when he was an ally of the ruling BJP from 2014 to 2019, and later when he was chief minister from 2019 to 2022.

“You (Uddhav) were in power for seven and a half years. Why did investments go out? Why were you quiet?” the MNS chief asked.

Raj Thackeray also attacked Uddhav Thackeray for opposing big-ticket projects like the Jaitapur Nuclear Power plant and an oil refinery in Konkan on the pretext that the coastal region’s ecology will be damaged.

There were instances where sitting Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg MP of Shiv Sena (UBT) Vinayak Raut (who has been renominated by his party) would oppose a project, while local MLA of the same party would back it, he claimed

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

The BJP has realised that only the Thackeray name gets votes in Maharashtra and so they are trying to “steal a Thackeray,” former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said today on the meeting between Raj Thackeray and Union minister Amit Shah. The MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) chief, who is also the estranged cousin of Mr Thackeray, was in Delhi today, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He said he had been “called”.

Speaking at a gathering in Nanded district, Uddhav Thackeray said the BJP “knows very well that they don’t get votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi in Maharashtra… People vote here in the name of (Bal) Thackeray”.

“This realisation prompted the BJP to try to steal leaders from outside.  First, they stole the photo of Bal Thackeray, but it doesn’t matter,” he said, in what was seen as an arch reference to Eknath Shinde, who is partnering the BJP.  

Mr Thackeray’s Shiv Sena was split over what rebel leader Eknath Shinde — who subsequently became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra — called the legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray. The leader, who accused Mr Thackeray of deviating from the Hindutva ideology of Bal Thackeray, who was also his father, had later credited the BJP with masterminding the split.

“Today, they are trying to steal another Thackeray….take it. My people and I are enough,” Uddhav Thackeray then added, brushing off his cousin and the ultra slim niche appeal he has.

The MNS, formed in 2006 after the cousins parted ways and depending on the anti-outsiders plank, has made little headway politically. From 13 assembly seats in 2008, it is now down to a single seat, won in 2019.

Mr Thackeray, whose party is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the INDIA bloc, also claimed even Christians and Muslims are comfortable with his brand of Hindutva.

“The image of Shiv Sena (undivided) was getting sullied when we were with the BJP. But since we severed ties with them, even members of Christian and Muslim communities are saying that they have no issues with our Hindutva ideology,” he added.

Senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said the talks were “positive”. The MNS, it is learnt, wants three seats – South Mumbai, Shirdi and Nashik.